The grass had grown, was far too long,
My mower wouldn’t cope.
What if I trimmed it down a bit?
That might work. I could hope.
I got the trimmer all set up,
The dog would not go in,
Just stood there with a lolling tongue
And all-too-knowing grin.
“As if,” she seemed to say to me,
“You’ll manage on your own.
You need to buy a herd of goats…
You seen how long it’s grown?”
She had a point, ‘cause what with work,
And frost and rain and dew,
I couldn’t cut it when I should
And it just grew and grew.
And I’d already cleaned the pond,
The car and washed the floor,
But that was someone else’s house…
So, home to tackle more.
I fired up and got to work,
The trimmer slicing grass,
There’s green stuff flying everywhere
With every sweep and pass.
I’ve got the knack, it’s working well
And looking neatly mown…
But after just a yard or two
My muscles start to groan.
The dog looks on, all smug now,
And she says, “I told you so.”
But now I’ve got a tonsured lawn…
The rest will have to go.
The trimmer is vibrating
And with every pass I make
My wrists are swelling nicely
And my back is one big ache.
I persevered and got it done
And stood back to admire.
I couldn’t lift a whisker now,
My hands are pretty dire.
By this time I can’t hold a cup,
I’m needing rehydrating,
And though I’ve switched the damned thing off
My bones are still vibrating.
The small dog saunters over,
Looks me right between the eyes,
“What do you think you’re playing at?”
It’s really no surprise…
“You’re getting old,” the small dog says,
“One day you’re going to heed me.”
She pee’d upon my lovely lawn.
“Now come on in and feed me.”
I kept hearing that the elderly were more at risk for coronavirus, but it was such a shock the day I realized: that’s me!
LikeLiked by 8 people
There was a long, long silence on the other end of the phone when my son realised it is me too 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Last year when her daughter realised Mrs Widds was turning 70, she was stunned to absolute speechlessness! 🙂 … Mrs Widds and I both, 1) refrained from pointing out the obvious, and 2) didn’t burst out laughing at her face. 🙂
LikeLike
I think they still see us as they did when they were growing up… unil something reminds them otherwise 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had that uncomfortable realization as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t mind the ageing… just the aching 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear that!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Thar was my shock, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll get no sympathy from the small dog. But you will get lots from me 💜.
LikeLiked by 2 people
:D:D ❤
LikeLike
The last picture is so questionable Lol
LikeLike
Much of her behaviour is 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Sue, in feeling your aches and pains!
LikeLike
At least the garden lookes tidier 😉
LikeLike
Well, there is that!!!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Trust Ani to tell it like it is! I hope you got some rest. xo
LikeLike
I have to say, it could do with a second cut today 😉
LikeLike
so funny, no mercy from ani!
LikeLike
She is no respecter of persons 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
No rest for the wicked
No pity from the wretched!
LikeLike
And certainly not from the dog 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
None…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should have listened to Ani! Stay safe Sue.
LikeLike
She is a very wise animal… as well as a daft one 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is brilliant Sue…… and Maggie would have passed on her approval too!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Di… the dogs just watch us with amusement 😉
LikeLike
They do, don’t they!
LikeLike
At least we amuse them 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to wonder… How long did she let you rest before she brought you her ball to throw? I’m guessing not long. Anyway, I hope the sight of your nicely mowed lawn was worth it.
LikeLike
Not long at all…the ball is always in play 😉
LikeLike
Thought as much. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a fun poem, Sue, but I hope you are recovered now. My mom also does things she shouldn’t do and gets aches and pains and sometimes worse.
LikeLike
Sometimes there isn’t much of a choice 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant–love it 😛 😛 😛
LikeLike
Thanks, Daniel 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Campbells World.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! Dog’s know best… 🙂 xo
LikeLike
She usually does 😉
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
These days it is always a good idea to go to bed with lovely words and images on your mind… to switch off the constant barrage of news and headlines and instead seek out the wisdom of a dog… specifically the very wise Ani who curates the activities of Sue Vincent…head over and be entertained and have your day brightened. thanks Sally
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness for sweet Ani. I hear ya Sue. There are days. Just stay safe. ❤
LikeLike
Ani may not keep me sane…but she keeps me laughing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the main thing 🙂 xx
LikeLike
Indeed:)xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, the last stanza is my favorite!
LikeLike
That is just how she treats me, Liz 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, she has you pegged! 😉
LikeLike
Oh she does… and takes unfair advantage 😉
LikeLike
There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you’ve turned the darn thing off, and your hands are still vibrating like they’re still at work.😎
LikeLike
I wouldn’t have minded if it were just my hands, Pete 😉
LikeLike
‘Tis the season… for our lawn to grow so fast it’s laughing at us watching it grow. My sympathies. This is exactly why my chiropractor shakes his head when I walk in to his office. He doesn’t even have to ask what I did *this* time….
LikeLike
Mine got rained on last night… which means it willneed another cut any day now 😦
LikeLike
Oh yes, I’m dreading the post-lawnmowing aches and pains that are scheduled to happen within the next few days … nice to see the small dog has her priorities straight though! 😀
LikeLike
She is fairly single minded, that dog 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear. Time to hire a neighborhood teenager. My husband and I talk about this a lot. And Barb’s meme cracked me up. That’s me. Lol.
LikeLike
Me too 😉
No… I now have no stairs to keep me fit, a small flat to clean rather a big house… I need the exercise 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you. Just don’t overdo it and hurt yourself. You are much needed, always, but especially now. ❤
LikeLike
Our yard has a lamp post and a stop sign in it. You can clearly tell dogs are fond of them by the grass quality nearby.
LikeLike
Ah… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lamp post? Is your yard accessible by wardrobe? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cannot confirm nor deny this statement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
wonderful post, and one smart dog…
LikeLike
Thanks, Jim… a very smart dog 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m only turning 70 next month…
LikeLike
Have a very happy birthday in advance, Jennie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Sue. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ani is so insightful! She’s probably wondering what cutting the grass will do for HER!
Hugs and aspirin!.
LikeLike
She knows there will be plenty to sniff 😉
LikeLike
We love your humor and are going to feature you in our next release “This Just In… Secret Pets.”
LikeLike
Thank you… I’m no secret 😉
LikeLike
Thank you so much for being a part of our Secret Pets Spring Edition! Here is the link to the video you are featured in. Your Feature Card used in the video will be available in the Author Parade later this week. https://flatlinerbooks.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/this-just-in-secret-pets/
LikeLiked by 1 person